The word 'alcoholism' has several definitions. Generally, alcoholism is the word that refers to the condition that results from the recurrent intake of alcoholic beverages. Medically speaking, alcoholism is referred to as a condition that results from an importunate consumption of alcoholic drinks despite several unpleasant outcomes.



One should not be confused with the mere drinking of alcoholic drinks with the medical descriptions of alcoholism. It is true that the definition of alcoholism is associated with the drinking of alcoholic beverages but the constancy and the quantity of alcohol consumption are the significant determinants that are used to identify whether an individual is encountering alcoholism or not.

The side-effects of alcohol addiction are categorized into two sets: the long-term effects and the short-term effects.

We all know that alcohols, most notably ethyl alcohol, are potential central nervous system (CNS) tranquilizers. The toxicity level relies on several factors. For example, the level of toxicity is lesser when alcohol is consumed after having lunch as compared to the level of toxicity when the alcohol is consumed with an empty stomach. When it comes to hydration, the toxicity level is lesser if the alcohol is added first with water prior to intake.

The side-effects of alcohol in the body are described to be 'biphasic'. The term biphasic describes the side-effects of alcohol consumption that differs from time to time. Alcohol initially generates happiness and leisure. Too much intake of alcohol may result to blurred vision and coordination problems. Medically, when alcohol is drank, it is released to the bloodstream and is released to all biological tissues in the human body.

(A) HEART DISEASE: The people who take in alcoholic beverages are vulnerable to lots of cardiovascular diseases. Acute myocardial infarction or heart failure may take place if the alcohol addiction goes on.

(B) LIVER DISORDER: Several liver-related diseases may occur because of alcohol addiction. Some of liver diseases that are caused by alcohol intake are steatosis, progressive inflammatory liver injury, liver fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis.

(C) CANCER: Different kinds of cancers like leukemia, malignant melanoma, prostate cancer and papillary carcinoma may develop as a side-effect of alcohol intake.

(D) OTHER EFFECTS: Drinking alcohol may may develop into overweightness and fatal alcohol syndrome that develops to the disintegration of the central nervous system.

Identifying Alcohol Addiction

(1) Screening: The screenings are usually self-reports that are intended to determine the level of alcoholism addiction. The different kinds of essential screening test procedures are CAGE Questionnaire, ADD Questionnaire, MAS Test, AUDIT Questionnaire, and the Paddington Alcohol Test.

(2) Urine and blood tests: By testing the blood and the urine of the subjected person, the status of alcohol addiction may be determined. Alcohol addiction may be examined through different indicators that includes macrocytosis, Gamma-GT elevation, ASAT and ALT ratio, and CDT elevation.

(3) Others: A few procedures including the determination of the genetic predisposition or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders are intended to identify the alcohol addiction status and the level of toxicity.

Same as the medical and psychological procedures used for drug addiction, the treatment in this case is also separated into two distinct sections which are alcoholic detoxification and advising. The mentioned treatment processes have to be performed at the same time. By conducting the detox treatments, the body of the person with alcoholic issues is cleansed. By conducting the advising or the intervention methods, the addictive may be persuaded to let go of alcohol addiction.

It is necessary to pass on the necessary information concerning the negative side-effects of drinking alcohol to the physical and mental system of the people to lower the number of people who are considered to be alcoholics.